Shanghai Noon Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
The Classic Western Gets A Kick In The Pants.
The old west meets the far east
The first kung-fu western ever
A 19th century Western. Chon Wang is a clumsy Imperial Guard to the Emperor of China. When Princess Pei Pei is kidnapped from the Forbidden City, Wang feels personally responsible and insists on joining the guards sent to rescue the Princess, who has been whisked away to the United States. In Nevada and hot on the trail of the kidnappers, Wang is separated from the group and soon finds himself an unlikely partner with Roy O'Bannon, a small time robber with delusions of grandeur. Together, the two forge onto one misadventure after another.
| Lucy Liu | Princess Pei Pei |
| Jackie Chan | Chon Wang |
| Rafael Báez | Vasquez |
| Curtis Armstrong | |
| Xander Berkeley | Nathan Van Cleef |
| Ya Hi Cui | Imperial Guard |
| Jason Connery | Calvin Andrews |
| Owen Wilson | Roy O'Bannon |
| Brandon Merrill | Falling Leaves |
| Roger Yuan | Lo Fong |
| Walton Goggins | Wallace |
| Adrien Dorval | Blue |
| Stacy Grant | Hooker in Distress |
| Kate Luyben | Fifi, Carson City Hooker |
| Tom Dey |
6.50 out of 10 (18331 votes)
Visitor Reviews
EXCELLENT, FUNNY, MARVELOUS !!!
posted on 25 Jul 2009Very good performance by Jackie Chan as usual! Owen Wilson was an excellent surprise! He and Jackie worked well together. I have never seen him act before and I was more than impressed by his talent. The film was hysterical and I highly recommend it for a good laugh and clean fun!
Chan the man
posted on 25 Jul 2009I flew over to the U.S.A. from Scotland to see the premier of Shanghai noon because i am chans biggest fan. Not to be disappointed this is his best piece of work since drunken master 2. BEST U.S. WORK BY A MILL. the rest of the crew where cool to. Do not want to give any spoilers away.Go see this movie its a ride and a blast. Cheers jackie chan biggest fan jocky chan
Better story-line, fewer fights - still a marvelous Jackie Chan
posted on 17 Jul 2009If you watch this movie for the same reasons you watched Jackie Chan movies before, you might be disappointed - or not.Given, there are Jackie Chan movies with a larger and longer firework of fighting scenes. But on the other hand, there are few Jackie Chan movies where the plot in itself carries the movie better than this does.Shanghai Noon relies not only on the fighting scenes, which are scarcer than before, but on the story-line itself: and what a story-line it is: Jackie Chan fighting his way through the American Wild-West to free his princess, dealing on the way with a partner-turned-villain, struggling with a renitent horse and always being saved by his omnipresent sharp-shooting Indian wife.The movie is therefore really enjoying without relying too much on the fighting scenes, which -as always- introduce a lot of novelties into martial arts (especially the Indian and saloon scenes). Add to this the usual Jackie Chan tongue-in-cheek humor -this time fueled by East-West contrasts- and a feast for the eyes called Lucy Liu and you're up to a really enjoying movie.By the way: from the few fighting actions Lucy Liu delivers, a lot can be expected of her for "Charlie's Angels"....
THE WORST MOVIE OF THE YEAR!!!
posted on 11 Jul 2009Please, take it from me, a film student, this movie is crap. I am extremely surprised that it is getting high ratings. Just think about Jackie Chan in a Western. It is awful. If you spend money on this movie you will regret it. Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan are two of the worst actors in cinema. The ONLY reason this movie is not just another "TV movie of the week" is beause of Jackie Chan and his martial arts (which I didn't see much of). This movie was far from funny. I also just found the worst line in cinema history. In the movie, Owen Wilson puts Jackie Chan on the floor for the first time, surprised, he says "I don't know Karate, but I know Carazy, and I'm not afraid to use it". Well, if you watched this movie and you want to e-mail me then do so.
The frontier was never funnier...
posted on 09 Jul 2009Beautifully directed send-up, with Jumpin' Jackie Chan at his absolute funniest. For purists, there are stunts aplenty, but it's the give-and-take between Chan and co-star Owen Wilson that makes this one Chan's finest. I was one of those early converts who waited DECADES to see Jackie Chan make an "American comedy." While RUSH HOUR had its moments, it also had Chris Tucker (and, if you can stomach his Michael Jackson schtick, you're a better man than I am- or will ever be). This time around, he's teamed with someone who's capable of giving as good as he gets. Good writing helps. Chan is the modern Chaplin (pun intended; Chaplin fans, please take note). If you're one of those fence-sitters who hasn't yet taken the plunge, this is the best jumping-off point. Check out Jackie Chan. You can thank me later.
Best Jackie Chan movie I have seen
posted on 19 Jun 2009Jackie Chan does it again; this time in "Shanghai Noon." Unlike his previous films, Jackie has finally found a sidekick that works well."Shanghai Noon" is unlike any other Jackie Chan movie I have seen. It is his best since "Rush Hour" and is among one of the best all-action movies that I've seen with an actual plot behind it. After watching previous Jackie Chan movies such as "Rush Hour" and "Rumble In The Bronx, I was expecting to be dazzled with his comedic talent as well as action filled sequences. I was pleasantly surprised to learn it had every one of the components and requirements that I require for a good movie.Owen Wilson was comedic treat to this film as he added spark to an already great movie. Other than the cliche plot, "Shanghai Noon" brings a lot of excellent comedy, dialogue, action, thrills and even a little romance. I was expecting Owen Wilson to be similar to Chris Tucker, but in "Shanghai Noon" Wilson proved himself to be much better than any other Jackie Chan sidekick that I've seen. I was glad I went to see this film and would recommend it to everyone.
Proud to be a HongKongese
posted on 28 May 2009I was from Hong Kong. There are two major movies with HK folks on the Memorial weekend: M:I2 and SN. HK has only 6 million souls. HK actors and directors have to conquer language and social backgrounds in order to be successful in US. Keep up with the good work! SN is a mindless story with many holes. If you want to have a good time, this is it. The rating would be low by movie critics and high by movie-goers.
Funniest Jackie movie EVER!
posted on 20 May 2009I am a pretty big Chan fan and Shanghai Noon was the funniest Chan film I've seen so far. Jackie and Owen Wilson make a great team. Owen's comedic style perfectly compliment's Chan's. Don't even bother seeing Shanghai Knights, though. It's basically a less humorous rendition of Noon.
This is one of Jackie Chan's best films!
posted on 06 May 2009If you're looking for a serious western, check out "High Noon." However, if you are looking for a combination western buddy picture, wry and slapstick comedy and a martial arts display, this here's your movie, Pard'ner. The chemistry between Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan just clicks, and with a cute script that pokes fun at the clichés and traditions of the Western genre, "Shanghai Noon" is an extremely enjoyable film. Xander Berkeley does a nice job as a lawman that just will not give up his quarry. Lucy Liu, whom we all know has wonderful talents, appears held back by her limited role in the script, and I wonder why the writers didn't flesh out her role a bit better. All of the other cast members just blend into the Western sets, which is a big disappointment in the case of Brandon Merrill - I would have liked to see her given more than just two lines!"Shanghai Noon" is certainly not the first 'East-meets-Western' movie, but in my opinion, it's the funniest! I highly recommend it!
Well this was disappointing... its Chan ... we want FIGHT SCENES!!!
posted on 30 Apr 2009Basic plot outline: Set in the days of the Wild West, Chon Wang is an Imperial Warrior, bound by a regimist Chinese Empire. This devout servant goes on a mission to help save the Princess Pei Pei, who has been kidnapped and taken to the States. It becomes your typical 'unlikely partners bound together through circumstances beyond their control and become best of friends' film, when he ends up teaming with outlaw Roy O'Bannon. This motley duo fumble their way along, as time starts running out for the Princess.Review: Well this was disappointing. Jackie Chan rules. Even a commercial Jackie Chan, as in 'Rush Hour' rules. But Jackie Chan, totally 'Hollywoodised', doesn't rule. First time director Tom Dey really didn't do this film justice. It had all the elements of a typical Chan fliq, and was technically perfect. But it sorely missed that Chan Humour Factor. It had cheesy Hollywood humour, flittered with multiple reversals as a comedic technique, blatant, obvious, commercial. Its Chan... we want FIGHT SCENES!!! Lots and lots of cool fight scenes. What is all this nonsense about plot and dialogue... sheeesh! It was still enjoyable, but will be a disappointment to all Chan Fans.
East meets west. Jackie Chan rides low in the saddle.
posted on 28 Apr 2009This is a very funny parody of the classic westerns we grew up with. Plenty of action and countless random acts of comedy. Chon Wang(Jackie Chan)represents the Chinese Imperial Guard, as he travels to 1821 Nevada to rescue Princess Pei Pei(Lucy Liu). Out of place Wang runs into a bumbling train robber Roy O'Bannon(Owen Wilson), who tries to school the pigtailed Chinaman in the arts of being a cowboy. The reluctant partners run into tight situations on their way to finding the princess.Chan is outstanding combining his comedic wit with manic martial arts. Wilson seems like a preppy drugstore cowboy hung out to dry. His lame character is also a big source of the movie's humor. Supporting cast includes:Xander Berkeley, Brandon Merrill, Walt Goggins and Jason Connery.Sit back and be prepared to laugh. Nothing here to think about, just relaxing entertainment.
Strangely Cramped Jackie Chan Western
posted on 16 Apr 2009Jackie Chan is such a wonderfully appealing screen presence that you can't help but feel guilty when you don't fully embrace one of his films. However, when witty one-liners become the most important part of a Jackie Chan movie, something is clearly wrong. Shanghai Noon begins with the interesting idea of sticking Chan in a Western, but there's no real payoff in the action scenes. There are at least two fights in cramped bars, another in a cramped bordello. With a couple exceptions, the props aren't really used to their full potential either. All too often Shanghai Noon feels comfortable just using Jackie Chan as a walking sight gag without making any effort to use his true skills.Chan plays Chon Wang (insert endless series of "John Wayne" jokes here and you'll rise to the "comic genius" level of this movie), a member of the Imperial Guard sent to American to retrieve the kidnapped Princess Pei-Pei (insert endless series of "Pee-Pee" jokes here and you'll rise to the "comic genius" level of this movie). He goes West with three other guards and his translator uncle. When the uncle is killed by the slightly wacky new guy in a gang of outlaws, Wang must continue his search alone, until he meets up with the head of the outlaws Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson) and before you can say "Rush Hour" they become an unlikely duo. And off they go in search of the Princess, chased by the former members of O'Bannon's gang, a slightly evil sheriff (winkingly named "Van Kleef" and played to the hilt by Xander Berkeley), and the traitor Lo Fong who kidnapped the princess.Shanghai Noon was written by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough, who seemed to take pleasure in draining the Leathal Weapon franchise of all character in that series's fourth installment. And here they have produced a comically self-contained script. We know that Chon Wang is mocked by the other imperial guards. But we have no idea why. We know that Lo Fong was a traitor. But we have no idea why. None of the characters have any backstory at all. I'm not looking for a Victorian novel here, but still... Shanghai Noon is also the kind of movie where the characters speak in Mandarin (I think) when their in China, but then whenever the Chinese characters interact in America, they speak in halting, accented English as if they feel the responsibility to try to adapt to their new land.As I said at the start, Jackie Chan is unfailingly appealing onscreen and no actor plays "drunk" as well). However, for the most part his stunts in this film just aren't on par with his best work, much less his mediocre American movies. There isn't even anything on par with the pool hall scene in Rush Hour for heavens sake! He has decent chemistry with Owen Wilson, but surely Chan must wish that he could find a way around these odd couple pairings. Wilson is a stitch as the outlaw who talks the walk, but can rarely walk the walk. And Lucy Lui is fairly awful as Princess Pei Pei. Sometimes her English is accented, sometimes not. But mostly she just has no part and does nothing to elevate the role otherwise. Pity.Shanghai Noon ends up beating the same drunk (not dead) horses over and over. It wastes the charisma of its two stars almost entirely. I'm being as generous as possible in giving it 5/10.
Jackie Can turns a movie with potential into a confused, whimsical parody. ** (out of four)
posted on 16 Apr 2009SHANGHAI NOON / (2000) ** (out of four) Ever question why movie theaters do not have clocks in them? I think I just found out the reason why, and it is Tom Dey's new production called "Shanghai Noon," an action comedy that uses routines of the road movie, the buddy comedy, slapstick parody, and probably more. The theater owners do not want audiences to realize how much time of their lives they are wasting away watching a movie as horrible as this piece of junk. You know a film is bad when you keep looking at your watch throughout its running time; you know a film is even worse when you keep looking for a watch throughout its running time, even though you know you are wearing no such time device. "Shanghai Noon" placed me in that vary situation. Jackie Chan is one of the most bewildering actors in business right now; I feel depressed that other countries will be subject to his film's, which come from the same beautiful United States I proudly live in today. In "Shanghai Noon" he once again practices his peripheral bad-taste character sketch, this time portraying an Imperial Guard named Chon Wang during 1881 in China's Forbidden City. Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu) has been kidnapped by her American tutor, Calvin Andrews (Jason Connery), who is working for an ex-Imperial Guard named Lo Fong (Roger Yuan), who demands a hefty ransom paid for her release. To the amazement of nobody in the audience, Chon Wang is chosen to recruit the princess home. During the journey, he runs into a group of outlaws led by Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), who eventually becomes his partner and friend. He also meets Marshall Nathan Van Cleef (Xander Berkeley), who is determined to capture and or kill Roy. For the first time that I can remember in a movie featuring Jackie Chan, excluding the involving "Rush Hour," the story is acute. Although the setup is a little displeasing, the movie depicts events that construct a potentially strong narrative plot line. Unfortunately, this is Jackie Chan we are talking about, and it is his martial arts comic action that turns a somewhat fortunate story into a zany, nonsensical western action picture without direction. Nothing much occurs during the film's second act. Wang and O'Bannon make attempts to rescue the princess but only place themselves in greater danger every time. The entire middle of this movie is one unfunny comic situation after another, which would not be all that bad if the comedy was actually funny, but it is not. I never once laughed, or even cracked a smile, with the movie's desperate, contrived whimsical endeavors. Another flaw in "Shanghai Noon" is the complete lack of character development. We never learn anything personal about the characters; they are all one-dimensional, shallow plot puppets. I was not interested in the story simply because I did not care in the least about the characters. Since the entire movie is based on Princess Pei Pei being in danger, the lack of concern for the people on screen is a serious conflict. "Shanghai Noon" is a good looking production; the film captures the eighteenth century with a believable and contemporary historical feeling and an atmosphere that is both scenically sweeping and visually enticing. Director Tom Dey captures the old west through suitable performers in nifty costume and set designs. The film's energetic appearance and swift action scenes make it even more of a catastrophe that this production is as awful as it is. The film goes on and on in a seemingly measureless agony of non-stop ridiculousness; "Shanghai Noon" has no sense, no purpose, and no intelligence. If there were clocks in movie theaters, this would be one of the occasions in which staring at the hour hand would be more intriguing than participating in the movie itself. In a way the movie insults American audiences by making a movie this bad; they must have the idea that people have absolutely nothing better to do and have no life, because that is the only legitimate reason one would have for seeing "Shanghai Noon".
'Shanghai' is high on laughs
posted on 12 Apr 2009*** 1/2Starring: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, and Lucy Liu.A Chinese man must go in search for a kidnapped princess. He soon teams up with a wanted robber to rescue the princess and stop a madman. They both also grow a friendship.The movie is a hilarious movie. Great laughs and great characters makes this movie worth watching.
A true disappointment
posted on 29 Mar 2009I sincerely thought this movie was going to be great but it was a true disappointment. I think Rush Hour is by far a much better movie. The plot is very similar but it was very well developed in Rush Hour, and a lot funnier, while in Shanghai Noon there was something missing. Nevertheless, Jackie Chan is a great actor and he will always be one of my favorite.
what a disappointment!
posted on 27 Mar 2009this is one of the most boring movies ever. it really sucks! the chemistry didn't work and the jokes were tired and boring. the story made no sense whatsoever, the movie is just a collection of kung-fu scenes, which were the only parts I liked. the rest is just lame jokes and bad dialogue. Owen Wilson was terribly annoying and lacked charisma. he is not worthy of being in a movie with Jackie Chan. he should pick a better script next time.
Rush Hour in Nevada
posted on 13 Mar 2009I found this to be a completely entertaining film. It is more or less a remake of Rush Hour set in the Old West, and you can tell some scenes are almost grabbed from Rush Hour line by line. That being said, it finds plenty of material that is new and fresh and Owen Wilson is a riot. The jokes are great and the action is good. If you enjoyed Rush Hour, I highly encourage you to go see this as well.
Chan and Wilson make like a latter day Hope & Crosby
posted on 26 Jan 2009SHANGHAI NOON (2000) *** Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Lucy Liu, Brandon Merrill, Roger Yuan, Xander Berkeley. (Dir: Tom Dey)Jackie Chan put his international superstardom to the test in this rambunctious fish-out-of-water buddy film set in the wild, wild west and succeeds in this his second attempt at teaming with a comedic partner (see `Rush Hour' with Chris Tucker which has set the trend in motion). Chan stars as a member of China's Forbidden City domain during the late 19th century as a lowly servant who winds up as a member of a party to rescue their princess who has gone abroad to America only to become kidnapped with a high ransom of gold in demand for her return. As Chon Wang, the nephew to the interpreter, he finds himself on a train en route to Carson City, Nevada only to become a renegade avenger when the train is ambushed by thieves who've killed his elderly uncle in the process. Led by amiable bungling cowpoke wanna-be outlaw Roy O' Bannon (the genially goofy Wilson) the gang attempt to blow the train's safe only for it to be hurtled off a bridge due to the overuse of TNT. Wang and O'Bannon tumble off the express and eventually become partners after a series of surprisingly funny events which occur including Wang's induction into an Indian tribe resulting in his marriage to a sexy squaw (the striking Merrill) who tags along for the journey to release Princess Pei Pei (the saucy Liu from `Ally McBeal') from a disgruntled former member of her court, Lo Fong (Yuang) and an unscrupulous marshal named Van Cleef (Berkeley actually doing a mean impersonation of the late Lee Van Cleef). The duo become enmeshed in many shenanigans including a few fights, gunfights and a very funny brothel bathroom bath sequence involving a non-sensical drinking game. Chan's unique fisticuffs involving the martial arts with everything but the kitchen sink as a sparring prop (his ponytail, a hatchet, a rack of moose antlers, etc.) and his persona of a real-life Warner Bros. cartoon hybrid of Buster Keaton slapstick, Gene Kelly finesse and Bruce Lee lethal ass-kickings are put to the test with aplomb. Much could be said the same for the low-key, assured knuckleheaded insouciance of Wilson (who will always be to me, Dignan from his debut in `Bottle Rocket') who manages to blend his dumb/cocky likeability to a genuine comradarie with Chan in looking out for his sudden partner's greenhorn status.The action sequences are fast but not furious, always on the border of a Three Stooges act gone awry, and the teaming of the odd couple a key factor to make up for some of the film's familiarity (with occasional spurts of originality including a villain's offing an opponent with a cinematic first, wielding an oyster shell to the jugular: death by bi-valve (!) and the use of spontaneous urine to escape from jail; don't ask, just trust me on this!) Chan may breathe some fresh air into his long, weary career as a daredevil action star insisting on doing his own stunts even if it means breaking a funny bone in the process.
Shanghai Noon
posted on 10 Jan 2009This is not the type of film that I normally watch. Two of my friends insisted that they thought it would be stupid but that it really was funny and that I should watch it. I watched it. It was not funny. At all. It was really bad. I mean really bad. I don't think it is even worth mentioning that both the editing and cinematography were at times startlingly bad, or that the plot line (which is full of holes) was completely predictable and stupid. These things we would of course expect. The so called humor is also bad. Virtually every joke in this film is recycled. I've seen them all used (better) before. Also, the writing for this movie is soooo bad. Laughably so. (Yes, I did laugh a few times during this, but it was only when I couldn't believe just how bad it was). The writer must think very lowly of his audience. Not only are his characters completely implausible, saying and doing stupid things, but at times the film is completely irrational.
Fun, half-decent, but they keep pairing a genius with a fool!
posted on 18 Aug 2009Big fan of Chan, so allow me to be critical, if I may, about what, at the end of the day, is not a bad movie at all.This film is worth seeing at least once. It's worth catching on Channel 5 in a couple of years' time. It's a pop-corner, a family fun, watch it one minute, forget most of it the next, thrill ride.As usual Jackie Chan's creativity is enough to impressive even non-fans of the Kung-Fu genre. He dazzles, and entertains convincingly enough to forgive him for Rumble in Hong Kong. In this film, he uses similar moves to the ones executed in far lesser-known Hong Kong movies of the eighties. There are interesting new ideas that are pulled off in exemplary form, whilst Chan maintains his friendly and charming persona to the death.Once again, however, Chan has fallen victim to his own circumstances - meaning that he has had to be paired with the current comic of the time. We've had enough of Chris Tucker by the end of the first Rush Hour, and its sequel, Rush Hour 2 was a year away from release. In the mean time, Jackie is paired up with the ever-charming, Owen Wilson, who's in the film to make the ladies blush, and the men think, "he ain't such a bad guy." Wilson's addition makes the film more available to the Western market, who still, it seems, want an American star next to Chan, to guide him through the language barrier in a comically pleasing way. In all honesty, it grinds, and towards the end of the film, you will be left thinking that Chan should have left Wilson a long time before the film's climax.Lucy Liu plays the Princess/love interest/innocent captive in a convincing way, but I couldn't help thinking she was the ice-maiden in Ally McBeal, and the bondage gangster with a foul-mouth in Payback. Her character had to play it innocently, so she appeared to have no freedom to explore her character, leaving the smallest amount of character detail to the two main protagonists.The script is cheap and cheerful, and won't win any awards, but aids the progression of the storyline in a humorous way, without being clever, or arty about it.It's not a real Western. It's more like a kids impression of a Western, with a spin-kick or two added to the pot.